Texas Rangers Sign Two Top International Prospects

The second top player the Rangers signed was another outfielder, Miguel Aparicio from Venezuela for $500,000. Aparicio is also just 16 years old but is smaller than Taveras, standing at just 5’11” and 170 pounds. Aparicio trained with O.L. Beisbol Group and is a left-handed batter and thrower.

Baseball America was much higher on Aparicio than FanGraphs, having ranked him as the 14th best international prospect and the sixth best outfield prospect. FanGraphs has Aparicio ranked as the 27th best prospect and the seventh best centerfielder.

Aparicio is also the youngest outfield prospect available, meaning that he will likely take a similar path to the Rangers that will take several years. He has a small frame but as you can see from the video below has a smooth swing, above average speed, and what looks to be a chance for decent raw power. Aparicio and Taveras will likely be spending a lot of time together as teammates which will be good for their development as they grow and work to push each other.

With the $2.1 million given to Taveras and $500,000 for Aparicio, the Rangers are left with just under $2 million left of their signing bonus pool, according to the original figure reported by Baseball America. FanGraphs predicts that the Rangers will also sign second baseman Cristian Inoa, a 16-year-old from the Dominican Republic.

Next: Texas Rangers Minor League Top Performances of June